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Obeying God May Seem Illogical And Prove To Be Costly

“I’m going to sue that #@*&+|$^ company into the 4th Century! I’m taking them to court for giving me one month’s severance instead of the six we agreed upon in the contract!”

So said Sam in his fiery reaction to the mind games his boss had been imposing on him in order to force his resignation. As I listened, I could feel the hair rising on the back of my neck. Managing to keep my composure, I suggested we look at a few passages of Scripture:

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners‘ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners‘ do that… But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” (Luke 6:27b-33, 35) (See Romans 12:18-21)

“Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh… Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, HE ENTRUSTED HIMSELF TO HIM WHO JUDGES JUSTLY.” (1 Peter 2:18, 21b-23)

Later, after Sam and his wife had carefully analyzed the above passages, they decided to leave the company graciously, and accept whatever compensation package the management decided upon. What surprised them was the strong opposition they received from “Christian” relatives who insisted they go to court and demand their “rights”.

Could the key to how we respond to injustices be determined by our understanding of that little phrase, “HE ENTRUSTED HIMSELF TO HIM WHO JUDGES JUSTLY”? Isn’t it only as we see God as the One with the final word that we are able to obey Biblical imperatives that may seem to defy human logic?

It is important for us to understand that at some point God will equalize the books for the injustices visited upon us, and that He will reward us for our uncompromising obedience to His Word, difficult as that obedience may appear at the time. (2 Thessalonians 1:6; Acts 17:31; Revelation 16:5, 6; Matthew 25:34; 1 Peter 1:4)

QUESTIONS: Have you settled it in your heart that you will obey Christ and His teachings, whether they “makes sense” or not? Are you willing to pay the price of that obedience, whatever the cost?